"I can't believe … I'm really looking forward to [studying in Germany]," she said.
While in Germany, Noyes will be basing her studies out of the Institute for Migration Research and Intercultural Studies at Osnabruck University. Her project will focus on a group of marginalized Germans citizens called Spaetaussiedler. The group consists of ethnic Germans whose families migrated to Russia during the reign of Catherine the Great but returned to Germany after World War II, when Joseph Stalin began a purge of the Spaetaussiedler. Spaetaussiedler remains on the fringes of German society today.
"Situations like this [exist] all over the world," she said. "The theme of minority groups in foreign countries is a world-wide problem."
During her fellowship, Noyes hopes to "analyze the policy of the federal [German] government towards Spaetaussiedler and their integration and deepen this research with first-hand accounts of the experiences and attitudes of both Spaetaussiedler and Germans regarding Spaetaussiedler integration," according to Noyes' application for the fellowship.
"I want to change a large number of people's lives for the better," she said.
The research Noyes completes may contribute to a book currently being written about the Spaetaussiedler and how the German government can better integrate them into society.
The Spataussiedler are also the topic for Noyes' senior thesis in European studies.
Professor of History Catherine Epstein, Noyes' thesis advisor, is impressed not only by the quality of Noyes' research, but also by the fact that she was able to win the award. "It's unusual she won it so young," said Epstein, a former winner of the award.
According to Epstein, graduate students usually win the prize.
"I'm very proud of [Noyes]," said Professor of European Studies Ronald Rosbottom, who is chair of the department. "It's a fascinating project."